Terminal block



` Nova 8, 1932. R, T, ROTH 1,886,743

TERMINAL BLOCK Filed March l, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 8, 1932. v R, T ROTH 1,886,743

TERMINAL BLOCK Filed March l, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 1932 UNITED STATES RAYMOND '.l". ROTH, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

TERMINAL BLOCK Application led March 1, 1927. Serial No. 171,791.A

This invention relates to terminal blocks and particularly to terminal blocks having a plurality of transverse partitions of insulating material separating the conductor lconnections. l

The object of the invention is to provide a block of molded material adapted to receive interchangeably various terminal connecting in one embo iment of the invention,

vbetween the partitions. 'are the internallyv threaded bushings 12 beig. 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, v

Fig. 3 is 'a cross section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, y

ig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1,

F Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line 5--5 of ig. 6 is a sectional view of a modification.

Figs. 7 and 8 are cross sectional views on lines 7--7 and 8 8 respectively ofFi 6.

In the embodiment of the invention i lustrated in the drawings the block 6 has end members 7 provided with holes 8 for screw or other means for fastening the block in place. 'Between the ends are the transverse partitions 9 providing between them the spaces or channels for the termlnal connecting means.

In the block of this invention the ends 7 and partitions 9 have end enlargements 10 and central enlargements 11 strengthening the parts and serving as abutments to retain the terminal connecting means 1n the spaces Molded in the block tween the partitions and on each side of the longitudinal center line and these bushings serve to attach the terminal connecting means to the block, which is molded with a' central depression 13 in the bottom of each space to adapt the block for switch connecting means as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the block carries in the .spaces to the left the screw switch and jack clamp designated generally at 14 and forming terminal connecting means between opposite sides of the block. This switching means comprises bent metal strips l5, 16 adapted to be fastened in place on the block by screws 17, 18'threaded into the anchor bushings l2 and acting also to receive and bind the wire terminals of the circuits to be connected. The strip 15 has its inner end u turned and provided with a screw 19 threa ed through the strip so as to be adjustable into and out of contact with the downwardly bent end of the strip 16. The screw 19 will thus serve as a switch to make and break the connection between terminals `held by screws 17, 18. The parts also cooperate to form a jack clamp ada ted to hold a jack or tap 20 comprising at conductor strips on opposite sides of an intermediate insulator so that the` conductor strips are held in series between the terminals for testing pur poses and the like.

Where no switch is desired the terminals arey connected by a fiat conductor strip 21 (as shown in Fig. 3) having the segmental lugs 22 struck up to serve as abutments and guides to lretain the terminal wires from slipping out when gripped by the tightening of the screws 17, 18. v

In connection with circuits where it is important to conveniently open and close the circuit as required the block of this invention provides a switch 23 adapted to be thrown open or closed. The switch clips 24, 25 have contact jaws 26 formed by bending of the strip metal into the form shown, and lugs 27 9 are punched out and bent downward and molded in a connecting block 28 of insulating material so as to accurately line and securely hold the switch parts. The connecting block 28 fits into the depression 13 when the clips are fastened in place by the screws' 17 18, and the clip 24 carries a pivoted b lade 29 making and breaking contact with the jaws 26 of clip 25l and having a handle or finger piege 30 molded on a projection 31 of the a e. Instead of the pivoted blade 29 the switch means as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 may comprise a sliding strip 32 bent to provide the linger piece 33 and sliding in jaws 34, 35 of clip 24 and engaging and `disengaging the jaws 36, 37 of clip 25. Aprojecting lug 38 may be provided on the switch blade strip 32 to engage the end of the jaw 34 to prevent complete withdrawal of the blade and to indicate by enga Y ement that the switch is completely open. t isv usually desirable to mark the various circuits of the block and for this purpose marking strips 40 may be provided set in recesses 41 of the partitions and fastened in place by screws 42. This marking strip must. of course, be discontinued over the sections of the block using the 'pivoted switch of Figs. 4 and 5. Instead the switch handle'30 will have molded in it a disk 43 of material adapted to be marked as desired.

The block is made of a single mass of molded material and this one form of block serves for all the diderent types of conductors in any desired combination on the block. It is only necessary to carry a stock of the blocks and to assemble with them the desired types of the conductors to suit each order. In use also the conductors are readily replaceable and interchangeable with each other as desired for changes in service. The separate parts of switch 23 and switch 23 (Fig. 6) are fixed in alinement with each other by the molding of their projections in the solid block 28, 28 of insulating material fitting into the recess 13. This recess 13 also accommodates the contacting portions of the switch shown in Fig. 2 the parts of which are held in place between the partitions in such manner as to effectively cooperate irrespective of exact alinem'ent, so that the connecting block of insulation is dispensed with.

1. A terminal block of an integral mass oi molded insulating material comprising a 'series of transverse partitions with recesses at the bottom of the spaces between themvand anchor devices molded in place betw-een said partitions on each side of said recesses, and a plurality of dierent types or terminal connectors interchangeably fitting between said partitions and adapted to be fastened in place by attachment to said anchor devices to form current carrying conductors over said recesses. v l 2'. A terminal block of an integral mass of molded insulating material comprising a series of transverse partitions with recesses at the bottom of the spaces between them and anchor devices molded in place between said partitions on each sid-e of said recesses, and integra-l and separable switch terminal connectors interchangeably fitting between said partitions and adapted to be fastened in place by attachment to said anchor devices to form current carrying conductors over said recesses.

3. ,A terminal block of an integral mass of molded insulating material comprising a series of transverse partitions with recesses at the bottom of the spaces between them and anchor devices mol-ded in place between said partitions on each side of said recesses and a marking strip across the partitions, and integral and separable switch terminal connectors interchangeably fitting between said partitions and underneath said marking strip and adapted to be fastened in place by attachment to said anchor devices to form current carrying conductors Aover said recesses.

4. A terminal block of an integral mass of molded material comprising a series of transverse partitions with recesses between them and anchor devices molded in place between said partitions on each side of said recesses, a marking strip extending across the upper portions of said partitions, and a switching device extending under said marking strip and connecting opposite sid-es of said block between said partitions, each switching .device having a portion extending into the corresponding recess and comprising a metal strip fastened to one of said anchor devices and having a portion formed to carry a movable switch member, and a second metal strip fastened on the other side of the block and having a portion cooperating with said switch member to make or break a circuit between the opposite sides of the block.

5. A terminal block of insulating material, comprising a series of transverse partitions forming narrow channels extending across the block, each channel being formed with a recess in its bottom and a plurality of terminal connectors of different types interchange- .4.

ably mounted in said channels, one of said connectors being a switch comprising two metal strips secured at the bottom of said channel at opposite sides respectively of said recess, the inner end of one of said strips being bent downwardly into said recess and the inner end ot the other strip being bent upwardly, and movable conducting means carried by the upwardly bent end and adapted to make and break contact with the downwardly bent end.

A terminal. block of insulating material comprising a series oi? transverse parti tions 'forming narrow channels extending across the block, each channel being formed with a recess in its bottom, a plurality oil terminal connectors of diderent types interchangeably mounted in said channels, one of said connectors being a switch comprising two metal strips secured to the bottom of the channel at opposite sides respectively of the recess, the inner end of one of said strips being inclined upwardly and the inner end of the other strip being inclined downwardly into the recess; and` movable conducting means carried by the upwardly inclined end9 adapted to maire and break contact vvitli the downwardly inclined end; and a marit-er eatending across said channels and located alcove said switch, the movable condostingl ineens oi said switch being accessible for operation from one side of the rnarlrer,

7. A terminal block of insulating material, comprising a series o transverse partitions forming narrow channels extending across the block2 each channel losing formed vfitii a recess in its loottom; a plaranty ci terminal connectors or" different types interchangeably inounted in said channels, one oli said connectors Peeing a switch comprisi g tvvo metal strips secured tc the loottoni or said cliannel, the inner end of one oic said strips beineq inclined upwardly and the inner end or the other strip being inclined downwardly into said recess; a screw threaded through said upwardly inclined end and adapted 'to 'be turned to finalize and lorealr contact vvitii said downwardly inclined end; marker ing across said channel above said svvitclf. and a conducting tap adapted 'foe clamped ley said screw against said downwardly inclined end, said tap when so clamped extending npvvardly at one side ci said marker ecreiv losing accessible for turning tlie other side ont said noarlren .d terminal lolocir oi.n insulating naat comprising a series ci 'transverse itions forming narrovv channels across tire Telcelr9 a inarlrer secured across the top oi I tions intermediate their ends9 a pini terminal connectors diiierent tyoesin cliangealaly litted evitiiin said cli of said connectorsvlceing a stvitcln f maire and iorealr a circuit Without, uworal ci said 9. A terminal loloclr oif in i l comprisi a series or transverse lo ions rorrning cnannels across tno "nlocln e *r Tlier extending across said channels lietvveen their ends, connector in channel tiene il said niarlrer and leaving contact nio longitudinally ci said channel and as fior operation at one side said whereby said switch may lie operated disturbing said inarlrer and a another type interchangeable "Wi n switch in said channel loclr 7 nd a i, a channel beneath said marke and saving a contact movable longitudinally ci said cilannel and accessible for operation at one side of said marker, whereby said switch inay lie operated `Without disturbing said marker.

ll.. A. terminal block comprising a series .of transverse -partitions with recesses 'between them, a marking strip extending across the identifie upper portions of said partitions and a switchingl device extending under the marking strip and connecting opposite sides of said loloclr loetvveen the said partitions, each switching device comprising a portion eX- tending into the corresponding recess and comprising a metal strip Jfastened to one side ci the loloclr and having a portion formed to carry a movable switch member and a second metal strip fastened on the other side ci the bloclr and having a portion cooperating with said srvitcli ineinloer to inake or 'break the cirn enit between the opposite sides oi the block.,

l2. A terminal liloclr comprising a series oit transverse partitions, a marking stri tending across the upper portions oi said partitions and a switching device extending under said inarlring strip and connecting opposite sides oaf said block lcetvveen said partitions9 eacli switch device comprising a metal strip secured to one side ci the bloclr and having an upwardly 1nent :portion formed to carry a movable switch memloer located loeneatli said marker and a second rnetal stripv `:iastened on the other side or said bloclr and liaving a portion cooperating With saidsvvitch rneniber J:o nialre or break the clrcnit between the opposite sides ci: tne oloclr.

RAYMNB TEK RTH.

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